Reborn, I Loved Another

I opened my eyes wide, staring at the impeccably dressed man before me.

Wasn't I dead? Why could I still see Simon?

Seeing this man's face even after death? Couldn't I get any peace even in the afterlife!

I turned my head.

The scene, the atmosphere, the people surrounding us.

This was exactly the day six years ago, the Truth or Dare game where Simon confessed to me.

This was the day we got together, the beginning of my nightmare.

I wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but I roughly understood: I had been reborn.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, I smiled and spoke, "Sorry, I don't agree."

"What?"

Simon's eyes widened in disbelief that I would refuse him.

"Mhm." I nodded calmly. "If your hearing's bad, go see an ENT. Since everyone's here, I'll say it again."

"I. Do. Not. Agree."

I practically spat out those four words through gritted teeth, then felt an immense wave of relief.

Refusing Simon was actually pretty simple. All I had to do was not like him.

The classmates present erupted in murmurs, thinking I must be delirious from excitement.

Everyone knew how much I'd liked Simon throughout university. I never refused any of his requests, licking his boots so thoroughly that anything Simon did seemed perfect to me.

The bootlicker licks until they have nothing left.

But back then, I was utterly convinced I could become his girlfriend.

Simon's face paled. He leaned in, whispering in my ear, "Zoe, don't embarrass yourself. Agree now while I haven't changed my mind."

Who was the one about to be embarrassed?

Ridiculous!

I could make Simon even more embarrassed.

I scanned the crowd, my gaze landing on a man who had been dragged along by his roommate to watch the spectacle.

He looked thoroughly bored, clearly not interested in this drama.

I pointed at him, smiling brightly. "Actually, I don't like you anymore. Eric is the one I like now. If I'm going to lick anyone's boots, it'll be his."

I walked over, grabbed Eric's hand, and announced to everyone, "From now on, no one mention Simon in front of me again. It makes me sick just thinking about him."

"And, just so you know, this young lady has switched targets. Hands off him, anyone."

I was holding Eric's hand, so I distinctly felt his body tense up.

In my previous life, Eric had really liked me.

But back then, my eyes were only for Simon; I couldn't see anyone else.

The moment I died, I saw Simon and my sister Grace laughing triumphantly. The regret was overwhelming.

Driven by resentment, I entered the cycle of rebirth.

Then, like watching a cartoon, I saw all the scenes from that life play out.

I don't know if Simon ever regretted it, but I saw Eric ruthlessly avenge me against those who had hurt me.

He locked Simon and Grace in a basement, giving them only one piece of bread a day. Only one of them could eat each time.

At first, they were polite to each other. Later, they fought savagely over a single piece of bread.

It took a whole year for the White family to find them. When they were discovered, both were mentally unstable, terrified of everyone. Doctors eventually diagnosed them with severe mental illness, and they spent the rest of their lives in a psychiatric hospital.

Even though Eric was convicted for his crimes and went to prison, he never offered a single word in his defense.

I saw his expression then. It was relief, the satisfaction of vengeance fulfilled.

Hearing people call him a demon, my heart ached.

Someone who loved me so wholeheartedly... and I only realized it after death.